Tebbitoey



(No Model.)

Patented May 13', 1884.

- UNITE rams ATENT FlCEs ALEXANDER WOMAOK, OF FALKS STORE, IDAHO TERRITORY.

WAGON RUNNING-GEAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 298,436, dated May 13, 1884.

Application filed December 15, 1883. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALEXANDER WoMAoK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Falk s Store, in the county of Ada and Territory of Idaho, have invented a new and useful Running-Gear for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings.

This invention relates to running-gear for vehicles; and it has for its object to provide a simple and efficient coupling which will allow the free vertical movement of the front axle, and also the lateral movement of the same, so that wrenching or twisting of the parts will be avoided, and when turning the vehicle, or when the wheels accidentally enter a rut in the road, the tongue will not strike against the horse, but will be permitted to have a free lateral play.

WVith these objects in view, the said invention consists in certain details of construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of the running-gear of an ordinary vehicle with my improved coupling attached thereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig. 8 is a detail view showing my improved coupling enlarged.

Like letters refer to corresponding parts in the several figures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the rear axle, provided with the bolster B, to which is secured the spring .0, said parts being constructed in any ordinary manner, and therefore do not form part of my invention. A reach, D, is attached to the under side of the bolster B, and extends forward and is secured to a coupling-plate, E, connecting the hounds F, which converge from the point of their attachment to the rear axle, and are fitted in the coupling-plate, as stated.

G designates a swinging bracket bifurcated or slotted at its front end, as at (I, so as to form arms 9, which are journaled in the king-bolt H, connecting the front axle, I, bolster J, and fifth-wheel K together, a suitable spring, L,

ling-plate.

being attached to the top of the fifth-wheel. A rod, M, is passed through the slotted end d of the bracket into a circular opening or passage, a, formed longitudinally therein, the rear end of said rod being fitted in the couplingplate E. The rod M is immovably attached to the coupling-plate, so that the bracket may readily tiirn around the same; .or the rear portion of the running-gear may turn the rod within the bracket.

The operation of my invention is obvious. \Vhen the vehicle is running over rough or uneven ground, should the rear wheels enter a rut in the road, the rear axle will be allowed a free vertical movement by means of the connection of the reach to the bracket,and should the front wheels enter the same rut or strike the same obstruction, they will also be allowed a similar movement through the turning ofthe bracket around the rod of the coup- Thus there will be less friction produced on the fifth-wheel, and all strains'on the gearing of the vehicle will be obviated. It overcomes the friction to a great extent, which is caused by the rubbing together of the two fiat faces of thefifth-wheehandthewrenching, twisting, and straining consequent upon the wheels of the vehicle dropping into a rot or hollow of the road, or striking an obstruction, when the old method is employed, is entirely obviated.

It will be apparent that when making abrupt turns in the road the gearing of the vehicle will not be strained; but by means of the improved coupling the parts will readily accommodate themselves to long or short turns, as desired.

The devices used are simple in their construction and efficient in operation, and may be applied to vehicles having either side or end springs.

Having described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- As an improvement in running-gear, the combination of the coupling-plate E, connecting the ends of the rear hounds, the reach secured to the face of the coupling-plate, a headed rod, M, immovably secured at one end within the coupling-plate, a bracket, G, elliptical in form, and having a longitudinal slot In testimony that I claim the foregoing as a, in which the rod M fits, a recess, (1, at the myown I have hereto affixed my signature in front end of the bracket, providing room for presence of two Witnesses. I

the head of the rod and forming arms 9, and ALEXANDER WOMACK. 5 the king-bolt passing through the arms and WVitnesses:

pivoting the bracket in place, arranged and WV. 1?. MOLELLAND,

operating for the purpose set forth. W. V. MOKAY. 

